: Good Methods To Substitute A Design Education? While I know that going to a Design University is the most optimal way to learn and master Graphic Design, in my case, it would be difficult

@Reiling762

I was scared off from going to a bona fide design school for university, so I know what you mean! But depending on where you are, you could go back after graduating from your current uni and take evening classes at a reputable art school. I'm very lucky to have lived close to Art Center College of Design, one of the best design schools in the US, and they offer night classes catered to people with full-time jobs. You don't have to apply or have a portfolio - if you can pay (and it is expensive), you can take the class. They had the same teachers as in the degree program, so it was a real education on an a la carte basis and without the pressures of actually being in the degree program.

If you've never taken a design class before, I highly recommend going this route if you can, at least to learn the basics. Nothing replaces critique by an honest, tough, discerning, and detailed teacher. I don't think I would have learned nearly as much on my own, especially when it came to self-critiquing, which you absolutely must be able to do. (I must be a masochist, because I love critiques. Probably because I'm a little TOO self-critical and I know my work always needs improvement, and the critiques are there to tell me how to improve my work!)

And as for a portfolio, you can gain one even by taking the art school night classes. If not, it's amazing how much work you can pick up by offering free/discounted design services (on a very limited basis, mind you, you can't go free forever) to friends and family.

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@Odierno310

To substitute a design education you have to be aware of what you are missing out on. In my experience, learning at design school was mostly about two things; building robust theory and concepts, and the push-pull of designing in a social environment, eg crits, inspiration, encouragement etc.

In which case you need to find substitutes for these benefits of school life. I would suggest a doing a huge amount of reading to build robust conceptual theories. And joining an art group, (not necessarily graphic design exclusive) for the social learning. IMO flickr or deviantart communities are not a good substitute for face-face peer critique

As for the portfolio- well that comes by doing work. Real work for real
clients is better than theorical work. But sometimes you just need to start somewhere.

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